Manchester’s iconic Victoria Baths is set to host an almighty market later this month, with more than 100 traders taking over the former swimming pool and balconies.
The Night Market UK will make its return to Manchester for its biggest event yet, packing the Grade II-listed building with vintage sellers, independent makers, street food, cocktails, and loads more.
The historic venue will be completely transformed after dark on Friday 31 October for the occasion, and will have a few seasonal twists befitting Halloween night.
As well as the food, drink and makers taking part, The Night Market UK will also have art installations and DJ performances.
You’ll be able to wander rows of stalls in the former swimming baths selling the finest vintage clothing and handmade goods, like ceramics, prints, bakes, jewellery and so much more.
ADVERTISEMENT
Heading back outside the magnificent building you’ll find multiple street food traders, serving everything from tacos to Thai to burgers to pizza.
Cocktail Cartel will be on hand with two bars with spirits sourced from the Spirit of Manchester Distillery and Salford’s own Salford Rum, alongside beers from local legends Seven Brothers Brewery.
ADVERTISEMENT
Credit: Mark McBrideCredit: Joel FildesCredit: Mark McBride
They said: “We are really excited about being at The Nigh t Market UK– these guys just know how to do it – getting all the locals together and supporting the businesses that make this city what it is.
“You can go anywhere and get a pint of San Miguel or a pint of Guinness – if you’re going to a Manchester market why not get a beer brewed from the city you’re in?! It gives it that personal touch, which is what we are all about.”
Live DJs will be playing all night, with the line-up announced soon on the @thenightmarketuk socials.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Night Market UK is one of the country’s most distinctive events and will bring to Manchester something for everyone, from families to late-night explorers.
Becc Sanderson, director of The Night Market UK, says: “We are thrilled to return to Victoria Baths for what promises to be our biggest and most exciting event yet.
Credit: Els TacosCredit: Cocktail CartelCredit: Killa CarbsFood and drink at The Night Market UK
“This isn’t just about shopping, it’s about experiencing one of Manchester’s most iconic buildings in a whole new way. It’s about connection with friends, family and community, and celebrating the breadth of small business talent that Manchester has to offer.
“From the installations and performances to the makers and food vendors, everything has been curated to create an evening that feels truly unique. To be here on Halloween night, with the baths transformed after dark, will make it all the more unforgettable.
“We’re also hugely excited to be launching our art collaborations in this incredible space, something that has been in the planning stages for well over a year.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Thanks to the myriad of fabulous ‘nooks and crannies’ in Victoria Baths, and the fact that it is Halloween after all, we’ve earmarked a space where our customers can enjoy an immersive multimedia experience featuring the work of artist/technologist Ross Blair (trenchone.com) and lighting designer Sam Jones (@smajoneslx), fresh off their huge success at Edinburgh’s Hidden Door Festival.
“This will be a night that will be unforgettable and truly Spooktacular!”
The Night Market UK will take place at Victoria Baths in Manchester on Friday 31 October, with discounted tickets available online now HERE with timed entry slots. Limited full price tickets may be available on the door.
A dedicated anime, movie and gaming concert with a live orchestra is coming to Manchester
Danny Jones
Calling all self-proclaimed otakus, cinephiles and gamers: a huge concert experience will see dozens of musicians bring classic anime, film and gaming soundtracks and scores to life later this year, right here in Manchester.
The city is no stranger to events celebrating these beloved kinds of media, but you’ll struggle to find another bringing all of them together in one place.
Brought to us Mancs by KIN Music Entertainment, a locally founded arts, events and music label, this celebration of all things pop culture – and specifically, the music tied to it.
Entitled ‘The Kin & Fushigi Anime, Film & Videogame Orchestra’, this passionate collective serves as not only a platform for rising artists but also to hear some iconic sonic moments like never before.
KIN have created a large-scale live concert experience which will bring together a 25-piece pop orchestra made up of emerging professional performers and conservatoire graduates.
Aside from the impressive total of people behind this production to begin with, they also form an immersive hybrid orchestral and live band capable of bringing.
Speaking on the upcoming date, KIN Entertainment said in a statement: “We wanted to create the kind of live experience that many anime and videogame fans in Manchester have been waiting for — something cinematic, emotional and community-driven that brings these sound worlds to life with the energy of both an orchestra and a live band.”
Kin was founded by bassist, composer and ensemble performer Alejandro Urbina Diaz, who first brought his talents and wider interests over from Mexico to the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) here in the city centre at the age of 23.
Citing Manchester’s multiculturalism and cosmopolitan cultural fabric as a big part of his inspiration, he and his team have ended up carving out this niche for themselves, and now they’ll be playing this beloved music to Mancs at none other than the O2 Ritz.
Credit: KIN Music Entertainment (supplied via Academy Music Group Digital)
With new arrangements inspired by anime, cinematic and videogame culture, not to mention orchestral and even rock crossover twists – including both vocalist and rhythm sections, by the way – it’s set to be a highly unique experience that most will have never come across before.
This event itself is suitable for audiences aged 14+, although under-16s must be accompanied by an adult, and it’s taking place at the Ritz on Sunday, 26 July.
We’re not going to spoil any more details about the show for you, so which particular pieces of pop culture they reference will just have to be a surprise…
Featured Images — Publicity pictures (supplied via AMG Digital)
Sponsored
You can now get Deep South-inspired BBQ dishes on Manchester’s Deansgate
Daisy Jackson
There’s a brand-new menu of smokehouse-style BBQ dishes being served up on a sunny terrace on Deansgate.
Motley, the neighbourhood bar and restaurant on the corner of John Dalton Street, has added an authentic smoker to its kitchen.
That means they’ve got a whole load of new dishes, slow-cooked over hickory wood, that are bringing a taste of a Deep South BBQ to Manchester city centre.
The smokehouse-style meats are all seasoned in-house and cooked for hours, for a perfect fall-off-the-bone experience.
It might be an authentic American smokehouse menu, but it’s firmly British too, with most products locally sourced.
You can now get Deep South-inspired BBQ dishes on Deansgate / Credit: The Manc Group
Motley are calling on local suppliers like Althams Butchers (established since 1856) for their meat, plus greengrocers R Noone and Son, and Cheshire Farm for their real dairy ice cream.
Signature dishes on the new menu at Motley include slow smoked brisket, seasoned in Motley’s signature rub before being slow-smoked for more than eight hours.
There’s also a beef short rib with a chimichurri sauce, and a pork belly strip that’s seasoned with sage and onion and finished with a panko breadcrumb crust.
And for the veggies, there’s a vegan smoked veg kebab with courgette, mushrooms, bell pepper, sweet corn and red onion drizzled with homemade BBQ sauce.
Motley has added an authentic smoker to its kitchen / Credit: The Manc Group
Prices across the board start from just £16, served with beef dripping fries, rainbow slaw, pickles and homemade beef gravy.
As for small plates, you can expect short rib bonbons, homemade corn bread, spicy chicken wings, bang bang cauliflower, mac and cheese, and frickles.
House favourites like steak, vegetable hash, salads, and burgers will remain on the Motley menu.
Victor Gonzalez, food and beverage manager at Motley, said: “Our new signature smoked dishes are all crafted and seasoned in-house then slow cooked for hours over hickory wood to create rich and smoky melt-in-your mouth flavours.
“From our slow-smoked brisket to our home-made sides, everything has been carefully crafted to bring an authentic taste of the deep south to Manchester and we can’t wait for guests to try it.”
Motley can be found at 2 John Dalton Street on the corner of Deansgate in the city centre.
Daisy Jackson -
14th October 2025 
